FAA says more planes cleared from 5G concerns, but some disruptions reported
The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it had cleared approximately 78% of the U.S. commercial fleet for operations at airports impacted by 5G C-band, as some regional flights near San Francisco saw 5G-related disruptions.
Thursday's update saw the FAA add some jets popular with regional airlines to its list of cleared aircraft: "some" Embraer 170/190 models, one of the most popular mid-sized jets in the U.S. With that, there are 13 models of radio altimeters — the devices at the center of the 5G issue — that are cleared for use at airports that have 5G C-band towers installed nearby.
Notably, the list leaves off two other popular regional jets: the Canadair Regional Jet and the Embraer Regional Jet. The Airbus A220, a popular member of the Delta Air Lines and JetBlue fleets, is also left out for the time being.
In a statement, the agency said that it continues to make progress, though some radio altimeters might not be able to be cleared.
"The FAA is working diligently to determine which remaining altimeters are reliable and accurate where 5G is deployed in the United States," the FAA said. "We anticipate some altimeters will be too susceptible to 5G interference."
A radio (or radar) altimeter is a type of instrument that is used to precisely measure an aircraft’s height above the ground. This type of instrument is essential during low-visibility conditions because the data from it is essential for pilots to be able to conduct high-precision instrument approaches and even automatic landings, allowing operations to continue in little to no visibility. A 2020 study found that 5G C-band, which operates on an adjacent set of the frequency spectrum, can interfere with this instrument. In addition, other flight deck instruments and safety systems that rely on radio altimeters could be also be affected.
More: Airlines stave off another 5G impasse with a late, temporary and limited reprieve
The FAA's move came hours after a number of SkyWest flights, including some Embraer 175s, experienced delays and diversions near San Francisco (SFO) due to low-visibility conditions. Flight tracking website Flightradar24.com showed multiple SkyWest flights in holding patterns to the north and south of the airport as other flights were landing normally. One of the flights, a United Express flight from Boise (BOI), diverted to Reno (RNO).
In a statement, a SkyWest spokesperson confirmed the operational disruptions.
Weather conditions at some airports led to a small number of flight cancels and diversions this morning as a result of 5G implementation. We will process changes as soon as we receive the FAA’s mitigations for our E175 aircraft in low visibility conditions. We are hopeful the FAA will provide additional mitigation for the rest of our fleet soon. The potential for ongoing operational impact remains until full mitigations can be put into place for all commercial aircraft. As always, we will not compromise safety.
For other airlines, Thursday was business as usual. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines told TPG that the airline was not experiencing any disruptions or cancelations due to 5G. Southwest operates a fleet made up only of Boeing 737s, a model that's mostly avoided the altimeter concerns.
On Tuesday, AT&T and Verizon, which provide 5G service in the C-band spectrum, voluntarily agreed to keep 5G C-band towers near certain airports turned off. Airlines have said that this agreement made a big difference.
"There are modest impacts still from the rollout of 5G," United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said during his airline's earnings call on Thursday. "They’re not nearly as significant as they were scheduled to be without the agreement that was reached."
Additional reporting by David Slotnick.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.